Sclerotherapy and Microsclerotherapy in Melbourne
For those experiencing varicose veins, direct vision sclerotherapy and microsclerotherapy are two treatment options offered at Vein Care. Both are highly beneficial for certain types of vein abnormalities, such as small reticular and spider veins, with quick and simple procedures that deliver noticeable results.
In this overview, we will give you detailed descriptions, procedural insights, patient expectations and recovery guidelines to help you know what to expect as you explore vein treatment options. Our non-invasive treatments are welcome alternatives to surgical vein stripping, and our real-life testimonals show just how effective they can be when performed by highly experienced specialists. Learn more about our trusted sclerotherapy treatment in Melbourne and how it could transform the way your legs look and feel.
Introduction to Sclerotherapy and Microsclerotherapy
Let’s begin with a broader look at sclerotherapy and microsclerotherapy, two non-invasive methods proven effective for enlarged and visible veins. The main difference between the two is that sclerotherapy is used to treat large varicose veins, while microsclerotherapy uses ultra-fine needles to treat smaller spider and thread veins.
Both use a sclerosing agent in liquid or foam form, which is directly injected into the problem vein to irritate the lining of blood vessels and collapse it. Eventually, the targeted vein is naturally absorbed and no longer visible on the surface of the skin. Rest assured we will help you choose the right treatment tailored to individual needs.
Sclerotherapy Vein Removal at Vein Care Melbourne
At Melbourne’s leading vein clinic, we specialise in vascular treatment and spider vein removal. Sclerotherapy is one of the most popular vein therapy options, as treatment requires no anaesthetic, making it easy to recover from the surgery. This outpatient procedure is preferred for providing long-lasting results with minimal discomfort and downtime.
What is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical procedure used to treat varicose veins both for cosmetic, comfort and circulatory concerns. It’s been used for over 150 years, although techniques have changed over time to improve safety and effectiveness. Today’s sclerotherapy methods are aided with modern ultrasound guidance, while foam sclerotherapy covers a larger surface area than liquid, displacing blood inside the vein for faster results. Foam sclerosant also works on deeper leg veins to alleviate aches and pain.
Benign varicose veins are most commonly found in the legs and feet, although sclerotherapy may also be used to treat disorders of the blood and lymph vessels that cause incorrect formation. If you are concerned about the look and feel of enlarged leg veins, it’s worth looking into sclerotherapy as a safe vein removal treatment with minimal pain and side effects.
How Sclerotherapy Works
When seeking treatment at Vein Care for varicose or spider veins, our team will walk you through procedure expectations and the recovery process. To shrink these affected veins and achieve long-lasting results, we follow a few simple steps that are much easier and far less painful and invasive than traditional vein stripping surgery.
In sclerotherapy, a detergent solution is injected via micro-needle directly into the affected vein. The liquid or foam sclerosing solution acts like glue, making the vein walls stick together and causing the vein wall to collapse. The immune system responds to support the natural healing process as the collapsed vein is dissolved and absorbed.
The immediate post-injection procedure involves applying a compression bandage to the area, which helps improve circulation and prevents new spider or varicose veins from forming. The total treatment time is approximately 30 minutes. Depending on the severity, multiple treatments per site may be required for the best results. The same goes for microsclerotherapy.
Microsclerotherapy
Microsclerotherapy is identical to traditional sclerotherapy except it’s specialised for tiny spider veins in the legs or face. Liquid microsclerotherapy has a high success rate with 60-70% of veins staying closed after 12 months. Sometimes re-injections are required to further enhance the results. This walk-in, walk-out treatment may be combined with ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy for larger feeder and reticular veins, with ultrasound imaging to confirm if the injection was successful.
Benefits of Sclerotherapy Treatment for Varicose Veins
Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy offers tremendous advantages for the treatment of small reticular and spider veins. It is very fast, easy on the patient, and typically provides visibly noticeable results in just a few weeks. It also leverages the body’s natural healing ability to remove unsightly veins and restore a youthful and appealing look, improving self-confidence and daily comfort, too.
No anaesthetic is required, helping to speed up the healing process. A micro-needle is used for sclerotherapy injection into the intended vein, making it collapse. The immune/healing system responds naturally to dissolve and absorb it, delivering impressive vein reduction results with minimal downtime.
Treatment Success Rate
When looking at the advantages of sclerotherapy vein treatment, the success rates say it all. After several treatments, most patients can expect a 70 to 80% improvement in treated vessels. They will slowly fade up to three months following the last treatment.
Sclerotherapy is typically recommended for small and medium-sized varicose veins, while endovenous laser ablation is another option for larger veins. Sclerotherapy uses the liquid or foam sclerosant to collapse the vein while EVLT uses the heat from a medical laser to achieve the same results. Over 3-5 years, EVLT has a 90% success rate. Our expert team will help you navigate these options and make the right decision based on the affected veins and what will bring you the best chance of success.
Potential Complications and Risks
One more benefit of sclerotherapy is the minimal risk of side effects, especially compared to surgical ligation and stripping. However, there are potential complications, such as discolouration/brown staining, skin ulceration, allergic reactions and deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Rest assured these risks are minimal, and our qualified practitioners will do everything possible to avoid such side effects while also preparing you for recovery and what to look out for. Compression stockings and daily walks are key to a smooth sclerotherapy or microsclerotherapy recovery.
Sclerotherapy Preparation
Before sclerotherapy treatment in Melbourne, it’s best to keep these few instructions and recommendations in mind:
- Do not stop taking medications unless otherwise instructed.
- Do not shave legs or apply moisturiser on the day of vein reduction treatment.
- Wear loose pants and comfortable shoes to the appointment.
- Varicose vein removal like sclerotherapy should be avoided if you plan to fly overseas in the next three weeks.
- It’s best to stop smoking before vascular treatment.
- Pre-medication isn’t necessary, but you can take two paracetamol tablets with food if you’re concerned about low pain tolerance.
What to Expect During Treatment
During your initial consultation, we will evaluate your veins and confirm if you are a good candidate for sclerotherapy or microsclerotherapy. Following our diagnostic procedures, we will arrange for a personalised treatment plan to get you set up for success. This may include several treatments, or a combination of sclerotherapy and microsclerotherapy depending on the type, size and location of problem veins.
There are three key steps during treatment itself:
1. Prepping the affected area by cleansing it with an antiseptic solution, ensuring it’s ready for injection.
2. Injecting the sclerosing agent via a very thin needle into the vein, causing the vein walls to collapse.
3. Applying a compression bandage to the treatment area to boost circulation and stop new spider veins or varicose veins from forming.
Sclerotherapy Recovery Process
Not only is the sclerotherapy cost affordable, but the fast recovery time is also attractive. Adverse reactions are minimal, and any minor discomfort at the injection site can be minimised by local pressure. After sclerotherapy in Melbourne, patients can usually drive and/or return to work, although this should always be confirmed with the varicose vein removal specialist.
Aftercare tips include wearing compression stockings and going for a walk at least a couple of times a day, ideally for 30 minutes, to effectively manage discomfort and swelling. Over-the-counter pain medication may be used if you have slight aches and pains in your legs for the first few days post-treatment.
Sclerotherapy Before and After
Wondering how long after sclerotherapy to see results? Take a look at real examples of the quick sclerotherapy healing time and the overall success of our vein therapy options in Melbourne with this sclerotherapy before and after gallery. If you have any further questions about varicose vein or spider vein removal and the expected results, we would be happy to assist.
Schedule Sclerotherapy for Varicose Veins in Melbourne
There is no need to suffer from diseased or unsightly veins when sclerotherapy and microsclerotherapy are readily available treatment options at Vein Care, which has already helped thousands of patients across Melbourne. Our team of experienced healthcare professionals helps change lives for the better every day and we can make a difference for you, too.
When you’re ready to transform your veins with expert sclerotherapy and microsclerotherapy, our specialists will guide you through every step of the process. Check out our frequently asked questions to learn more about our innovative vein clinic treatments or get in touch with the Vein Care team today to learn about sclerotherapy injection costs and book your consultation.
Schedule Sclerotherapy for Varicose Veins in Melbourne
There is no need to suffer from diseased or unsightly veins when sclerotherapy and microsclerotherapy are readily available treatment options at Vein Care, which has already helped thousands of patients across Melbourne. Our team of experienced health care professionals helps change lives for the better every day and we can make a difference for you, too.
Check out our frequently asked questions to learn more about our innovative vein treatments or get in touch with the Vein Care team today to learn about sclerotherapy costs.